Analytical methods for cosmetics – BIS specifications for shampoo, skin cream and toothpaste MCQs With Answer

Analytical methods for cosmetics – BIS specifications for shampoo, skin cream and toothpaste MCQs With Answer
This concise guide introduces analytical methods for cosmetics with emphasis on BIS specifications for shampoo, skin cream and toothpaste. It covers key quality-control keywords: physicochemical tests (pH, viscosity, foam), microbial limits, preservative efficacy (challenge test), stability studies, heavy metals, assay methods (HPLC, AAS, GC‑MS, ISE) and performance tests (RDA, wetting, spreadability). Tailored for B. Pharm students, the content links regulatory expectations with laboratory techniques and interpretation of results, helping you master routine analyses and specification compliance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary purpose of BIS specifications for cosmetics?

• To define global advertising standards
• To ensure safety, quality and labeling compliance
• To set retail pricing limits
• To regulate import duties

Correct Answer: To ensure safety, quality and labeling compliance

Q2. Which instrument is routinely used to measure the pH of shampoo, skin cream and toothpaste formulations?

• Spectrophotometer
• Brookfield viscometer
• pH meter
• Atomic absorption spectrometer

Correct Answer: pH meter

Q3. Which analytical instrument is standard for measuring viscosity of creams and shampoos?

• Brookfield viscometer
• Gas chromatograph
• Ion-selective electrode
• UV‑VIS spectrophotometer

Correct Answer: Brookfield viscometer

Q4. Which standardized test is commonly used to measure foam volume/behavior of shampoos?

• Draves wetting test
• Ross‑Miles foam test
• RDA test
• Peroxide value test

Correct Answer: Ross‑Miles foam test

Q5. The Draves test is used to evaluate which shampoo property?

• Foam volume
• Wetting time of fabric or hair substitute
• pH stability
• Abrasivity

Correct Answer: Wetting time of fabric or hair substitute

Q6. Which test assesses the effectiveness of preservatives in cosmetics?

• Loss on drying
• Preservative efficacy (challenge) test
• RDA test
• Spreadability test

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy (challenge) test

Q7. Which analytical measurement is used to detect rancidity or oxidative degradation in fatty components of creams?

• Peroxide value
• RDA value
• pH index
• Foam height

Correct Answer: Peroxide value

Q8. Which microbial test reports the overall microbial burden in a cosmetic sample?

• Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA)
• Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC)
• Draves wetting time
• Ross‑Miles foam volume

Correct Answer: Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC)

Q9. Which analytical method is most suitable for direct quantitative determination of fluoride in toothpaste?

• Ion‑selective electrode (ISE) method
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Broth dilution
• Ross‑Miles test

Correct Answer: Ion‑selective electrode (ISE) method

Q10. What does the RDA test measure in toothpaste evaluation?

• Fragrance intensity
• Antibacterial activity
• Relative dentin abrasivity (dentin wear)
• Foam stability

Correct Answer: Relative dentin abrasivity (dentin wear)

Q11. Which routine test determines moisture or volatile content in cosmetic samples?

• Loss on drying
• RDA
• Ross‑Miles
• Draves test

Correct Answer: Loss on drying

Q12. Which spectroscopic technique is commonly used to identify functional groups of surfactants in shampoos?

• FTIR spectroscopy
• RDA measurement
• Draves wetting test
• Ross‑Miles

Correct Answer: FTIR spectroscopy

Q13. What is the purpose of accelerated stability studies for cosmetic formulations?

• To test consumer preference
• To accelerate regulatory approval
• To predict long‑term stability and estimate shelf life under stressed conditions
• To measure abrasivity only

Correct Answer: To predict long‑term stability and estimate shelf life under stressed conditions

Q14. Which test assesses how easily a skin cream spreads on the skin?

• Spreadability (extensibility) test
• Peroxide value
• Ion‑selective electrode
• RDA test

Correct Answer: Spreadability (extensibility) test

Q15. For detection of trace heavy metals in cosmetic samples, which technique is widely used?

• Brookfield viscometer
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
• Ross‑Miles foam test
• Draves test

Correct Answer: Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

Q16. Which analytical technique is most appropriate to quantify a preservative or active ingredient in a cream?

• HPLC
• Draves wetting test
• RDA measurement
• Ross‑Miles

Correct Answer: HPLC

Q17. Which method is commonly used to determine particle size distribution of pigments or abrasives in toothpaste?

• Laser diffraction
• FTIR spectroscopy
• pH meter
• Peroxide value

Correct Answer: Laser diffraction

Q18. Which simple test can quickly indicate emulsion stability of a cream?

• Centrifugation test for phase separation
• RDA measurement
• Ion‑selective electrode
• Ross‑Miles foam test

Correct Answer: Centrifugation test for phase separation

Q19. Which analytical technique is preferred for profiling volatile fragrance components in cosmetics?

• GC‑MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry)
• Brookfield viscometry
• Laser diffraction
• Draves test

Correct Answer: GC‑MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry)

Q20. The preservative efficacy (challenge) test is evaluated by observing which of the following?

• Change in pH only
• Log reduction in microbial counts over specified time points
• Foam volume change
• Viscosity increase

Correct Answer: Log reduction in microbial counts over specified time points

Q21. What is the main objective of routine stability testing required by BIS for cosmetics?

• To change the formulation frequently
• To determine packaging color
• To establish product shelf life and ensure performance over intended storage conditions
• To measure taste

Correct Answer: To establish product shelf life and ensure performance over intended storage conditions

Q22. Why is viscosity critical in shampoo formulation from an analytical and consumer perspective?

• It defines pH only
• It affects pourability, sensory perception and formulation stability
• It measures fluoride content
• It determines microbial limits

Correct Answer: It affects pourability, sensory perception and formulation stability

Q23. Which labeling element is typically required by BIS on cosmetic products?

• Ingredient declaration and manufacturing details
• Internal lab bench notes
• Supplier bank account
• Only brand logo

Correct Answer: Ingredient declaration and manufacturing details

Q24. Which test specifically checks for the absence of objectionable pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cosmetics?

• Specified pathogen test (absence of defined organisms)
• RDA test
• Ross‑Miles foam test
• Draves wetting test

Correct Answer: Specified pathogen test (absence of defined organisms)

Q25. Foam half‑life is a parameter used to describe which property of a shampoo?

• Color stability
• Foam stability over time
• pH drift
• Preservative potency

Correct Answer: Foam stability over time

Q26. Which solvent is commonly used for extraction of many non‑volatile actives from creams prior to HPLC analysis?

• Methanol
• Air
• Ross‑Miles reagent
• Draves solution

Correct Answer: Methanol

Q27. Apart from ISE, which alternative method can be used for fluoride estimation in toothpaste?

• SPADNS colorimetric method
• RDA test
• Ross‑Miles foam test
• Draves wetting test

Correct Answer: SPADNS colorimetric method

Q28. Which antioxidant assay is often used to evaluate free radical scavenging capacity of cosmetic antioxidants?

• DPPH radical scavenging assay
• Ross‑Miles test
• Draves wetting test
• RDA

Correct Answer: DPPH radical scavenging assay

Q29. What is a primary function of non‑ionic surfactants in shampoo formulations?

• Serve as abrasive agents
• Provide mild cleansing and stabilize foam/emulsions
• Act as fluoride sources
• Increase peroxide value

Correct Answer: Provide mild cleansing and stabilize foam/emulsions

Q30. Which documentation is essential to demonstrate compliance with BIS analytical specifications for a cosmetic batch?

• Personal opinions of the formulator
• Standard test methods, batch data and certificate of analysis
• Social media reviews
• Color swatches only

Correct Answer: Standard test methods, batch data and certificate of analysis

Download